Merrick Tells You About The Gargantuan KNIGHT RIDER COMPANION Book!!

Merrick here...
…with a very long overdue heads-up about a KNIGHT RIDER book that's now making the rounds.
Before I go any further, I'd like to offer a sincere apology to this book's author…Nick Nugent. Quite a while back, he graciously provided a copy of this title for me to peruse. I looked through it and fully intended to write about it here on the site at that time, but a subsequent cacophony of delays and obstacles conspired to prevent this from happening until now. This write-up has been far too long in coming…ridiculously so. But Nick's been great and patient and understanding…and I'm deeply sorry it's taken so long to get to this online. Without further ado…
THE KNIGHT RIDER COMPANION is a self published by Nugent (sites HERE, HERE, Twitter HERE). The book is, quite simply, an act of love - an unbridled exploration of KNIGHT RIDER from one of its most impassioned followers. It's the culmination of many years of research and effort.

What's in it?
** A Foreward by KNIGHT RIDER creator Glen A. Larson discussing the series' inspiration (THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO and THE LONE RANGER) as well as the show's initial development...
** An Introduction by series Executive Producer Robert Foster discussing how he came to the show reluctantly but ultimately fell in love with it…
** An extensive Prologue by writer/producer Tom Green about working with Hasselhoff on the show (saying wonderful things about him) and trying to help the show "break out"…
** A lengthy Q&A with Larson, touching on interesting details like The Hoff's costume design (intended to suggest his connection to/being an extension of K.I.T.T.) and more.
** A 30 page Q&A with series Production Designer Michael Scheffe, designer of K.I.T.T. (illustrated)...

** A Q&A with Foster (the EP mentioned above)...
** An 18 page interview with Tom Green (the writer/producer mentioned above)…
**A Q&A with Hasselhoff…
** A brief Q&A with William Daniels (the voice of K.I.T.T.)…
**A Q&A with actress Patricia McPherson (who played Bonnie, K.I.T.T.'s mechanic)…
**A Q&A with Rebecca Holden (who played April on the series)…
** A remembrance of Edward Mulhare (Foundation for Law And Government contact Devon Miles on the show)…
** Q&As with composers Stu Phillips and Don Peake...

** A Q&A with stunt driver Jack Gill…
** A Q&A with Larry Anderson, who played Michael Long on the series' pilot (Long gets smoked, and is resurrected as Michael Knight/Hasselhoff)...
…and more.
The mid-section of the book is devoted to an onslaught of schematics /graphics (gadgets, vehicles, etc.) - including a number of background details (a truck featured on the show, for example, was also seen in SPACEHUNTER: ADVENTURES IN THE FORBIDDEN ZONE).

KNIGHT RIDER COMPANION also includes the show's 1984 "bible", an illustrated episode guide (a few were written by Stephen E. de Souza - who would later write the first two DIE HARD films), and more.
Many might dismiss KNIGHT RIDER as being unworthy of the level of attention afforded by this book. I'd argue that point - not only because I loved watching the series back in the day, but because I think projects like this Companion are critically important in preserving a broader historical perspective. So much "making of" material…about so many TV series, TV movies, and theatrical films…has been lost to the ages because no one had the foresight or ability to chronicle these productions when the shows were being made. In retrospect, we frequently ask questions about such shows - and our questions often remain unanswered.
This is a shame, because such answers would help us to clarify not only our understanding of a particular title, but to better contextualize the era in which the shows were generated. I.e. I see this a meaningful historical exercise, regardless of whatever affection (or lack thereof) we may have for Michael, K.I.T.T., and the gang. There's a lot of insight here - not only about KNIGHT RIDER, but how television shows are created, managed, and more.

THE KNIGHT RIDER COMPANION can be purchased via the book's official site (HERE), or via THIS Amazon listing (NOTE: orders of this title through Amazon can only ship domestically at the moment. Nick says his book tends to play particularly well overseas, hopefully this exposure will earn him more Stateside love).

Recommended for KNIGHT RIDER fans, for casual enthusiasts who might simply have fun learning more about the series (at 654 pages, there are many details here), or to followers of 80s television in general, THE KNIGHT RIDER COMPANION is probably the most exhaustive memorialization this series has ever received…or will ever receive. It's also one of the more thorough looks at a TV series I can recall. Maybe Nick will go on to do the same for, say, KR creator Glen A. Larson's original BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series. Wouldn't that be something?
They'll be a KNIGHT RIDER Festival in Vegas the weekend of March 19 & 20, which'll feature many of the people interviewed in this book, and more (details HERE). You can find Nick at a book signing there - stop by and say "Hi".

not sure i'd buy it myself but i wouldnt be disppointed if it was given as a gift. would go along nice next to the complete series box set. the show hasn't aged well AT ALL but thats why its still fun to watch, because you laugh at it and have a good time....least i did.

controversial figure in the Knight Rider fan circles. Something about his abrasive ego-driven tactics, blatant disregard for feelings of other fans, unethical practices, and his unhealthy attraction towards small woodland creatures. Or something like that. I don't really remember. I just recall some Knight Rider fan site talking trash about him a while ago. I think.

I would like to know:<br>
- is Knight Rider 2000 discussed?<br>
- is Team Knight Rider discussed?<br>
- is the tenuous connection between TKR and Star Trek TNG discussed?<br>
- is the terrible "modern" Knight Rider discussed?

pieces, and I liked Knight Rider (born '82 so this was all over my childhood) but christ I've no idea who this is aimed at. <p>
The trouble is it was a truely one note show (and again I liked it at the time). The episodes haven't aged well. Very funny (Garth Knight indeed) and good for nostalgia, but definitely not something I'd think "I must read what Hoff thinks of it now". Sure it was a time when Hoff wasn't just a chariciture of himself, but a guy and a talking car has a dynamic that doesn't really lend itself to lengthy over-analysis. <p>
To each his own I guess. If anything deserved a comprehensive companion piece 20years after it's fresh date it's Quantum Leap - as outside the science and mcguffins, you had a show (as all good shows are) that boiled down to two strong warm leads bouncing off each other. Human leads. As in, you know, no wheels.

I see why you have that name because you are just so witty.
<p>
Knight Rider has a huge following still, especially in Europe and Asia.
<p>
Knight Rider is a piece of "pop culture" and Nick Nugent is a close friend with Glen Larson. Glen gave Nick his blessing to publish this book.
<p>
Also Nick took ALL the risk with putting this book out. This book is self-published. That means he has had to cover all expenses for the book out of his pocket.

Remember the big Universal lot fire from a year or so ago? Where their tape library went up in flames, but Universal issued a statement saying "It's okay, no need to worry, film fans. We only lost COPIES of things, but no original MASTERS were lost." Well, I recall hearing a story in passing that ironically the masters to BJ AND THE BEAR actually were destroyed in that blaze. So now they no longer exist.<p>Oh no! Just imagine if that turns out to be true! That means we'll never get the blu-ray collectors edition of trucker Greg Evigan and his co-rider chimp! How could geekdom ever survive without THAT!?

Hey everyone. This is Nick, the author/designer of KRC. I just wanted to say thanks to Merrick for putting this article up and thanks to those of you who have purchased copies of my book and have expressed support for it. I have no plans at this time to make a second edition nor covering TKR or Knight Rider: The Series (08)

... one of the worst TV shows ever made. From concept, to production design, to direction, to back-story, to acting, to story lines, to characters, to writing, to dialogue, to effects... you name it: It stinks to high heaven. It was however "well cast"; considering the level of shite they were putting to 'the tube'.

"Distinguishing marks: none" Uh, wouldn't that red blinky-winky bouncing back and forth at the front of the hood count? Seems pretty unique to that vehicle to me. As for "Max Speed 200 Mph", didn't they boost that to over 300 Mph when they came up with a contrived way to have K.I.T.T. (with a name such as that there should have been a female voice) lose its indestructible shell in a later season?

In the series proper KITT exceeded 200mph on a few occasions before they gave him that ridiculous tranforming 'Super Pusuit Mode.' (Where the series, even by it's own standards, totally jumped the shark..)
This is no disrespect to the author as I loved the show as a kid, and am so looking forward to reading this if I can track down a UK edition..But I think that schematic, genuine as I'm sure it is, has a misprint as I've seen Kitt's top speed being listed as 300mph in many publications over the years. (In fact I've seen it often listed as 325mph) Which was why I never really got the whole Super Pusuit thing as KITT never really seemed to go any faster with those additions, than it was already supposedly capable of. Although I guess those ridiculous fins were supposed to explain how it could turn corners at that speed without flipping over!
Still looking forward to this, as regardless of the quality of the show, has there ever been a car that looked as good as that Black Pontiac Trans Am? (before they added the stupid extras in that last season..) And it does, hands down, have the absolutely coolest tv theme tune ever written!

The top speed on my schematics for KITT (Season 1-3) are referring to the average "top speed" under safe and controlled speeding conditions meant for KITT. If you watch the series, KITT's normal top speed averaged at 200 or under in most episodes even in pursuit mode. It was only under extreme circumstances that he exceeded that average speed. KITT only traveled 310 mph in Goliath when his turbine engine was converted to a ramjet. Other than that, KITT went over 200 mph by either engaging an extra temporary burst of speed with "turbo boost" which was used for more than just jumping and when he had a circumstance that called for him "giving it all he had" to get out of a sticky situation. In The Topaz Connection, Michael used KITT's highest possible speed on a open desert road to beat a Lear Jet back to Vegas which went over 200mph but this was never attempted in any other episode.
There's a degree of inconsistancy there. If you look at the Knight Rider Bible, the answer to how fast KITT can go is "How fast do you want him to go". If producers or writers wanted KITT to go faster than 200 mph in normal conditions as an average speed, they would have done so in Seasons 1-3
In Season Four of Knight Rider, KITT's top speed using SPM was 300 mph. Go ahead and check his speedometer in that season, it never goes past 300.
KITT never went 325 mph. Whomever stated that is sorely mistaken. There is no visual evidence to support that claim. However as rediculous as it is, the new Knight Rider (08) claimed that the Mustang KITT (KI3T) could go 377mph - yet in the most of the episodes for the show his speedometer barely breaks 200 except for the pilot even in Attack Mode.
If you look in KRC at the schematics for the SPM KITT art, you will see it says "300" mph is the top speed.
I assume that the extra "safe" top speed for KITT in SPM was a substitute for no longer being able to turbo boost while in SPM mode (for obvious technical reasons). This would likely explain the extra burst of speed he had in the previous seasons when the turbo boost button was pressed.
As for KITT's distinguishing marks not listing a scanner in the grille, it is listed under modifications. I consider a distingushing mark to be something more of a paint job or special feature that was out of the ordinary for the series like with KARR having a two-tone paint job and yellow scanner in KITT vs. KARR.
Since the Knight 4000 in Knight Rider 2000 wasn't originally given a scanner until later in the movie, KITT's "original scanner" addition would qualify as a distingishing mark compared to its original intended design.
With the Knight 2000, the scanner is a standard feature on it. It's not a distinguishing mark because technically the Knight 2000 is not (from a story standpoint) a standard Trans Am but a car built to resemble one.
Ugh, there I earned my geek license again.
=VK=

Ah it might well have been the Topaz Connection, that was indeed one of the episodes I was thinking of. Very nearly mentioned it in my post except, I couldn't remember the title, and refering to it as the 'DOA' type episode would proably cause even more confusion. But it blew my mind as a kid the thought that KITT could catch up with an airplane. (Though granted I think they they messed around with the air traffic controls..)
And yeah I totally believe you about the SPM top speed. As that was why the modifications completely confused me as a kid. (i.e Why it wouldn't really be any faster than what KITT was supposidly capable of already) I think perhaps the 325mph originated in a British annual, or maybe one of the UK comic strips that were around at the time, (Dedfinitely remember bringing something like that into school to back up playground arguements! LOL!) and was maybe taken by some publications as cannon a couple of times after that when obviosuley there was nothing from the show's creators to back it up.
Thanks for specifying though that the 200mph was the 'average top speed under safe and controlled speeding conditions' As even in a show like Knight Rider there would be some amount of real world physics at play in the storylines for KITT getting from point A to Point B without flipping on a corner, or crashing into someone!
And yeah I can remember them using Turbo Boost for speed as well as jumps. (Another reason why I felt there was no need for SPM when they had the "giving it all he had" plot device!) Anyway thanks for getting back to me on this. As if nothing else, it's re-assured me that you did really put all the necessary research into this to make it a definitive companion/guide. Wish me had more books like this coming out for 80es shows, as kids today are really spoilt by having the internet at their fingertips!
(Oh and I wouldn't worry about the geek thing, that's what this whole site was designed for! LOL!)

Steverodgers5 - the car with the blinky-winky at the front was a very nice design, yes. But I was as fond of the early 60s Corvette. And even more of a lesser-known, 'concept' car. The Firebird III. Horribly impractical, but Gods I wanted one. With its fins (multiple!), bubble canopies, joystick steering ... it looked as though it should get you to orbit. Agreed about the silly add-ons to K.I.T.T., especially the *dumb* blinky-winkies on the accelerator pedal. As for the theme ... I like it a lot, but there are others as good, if not better. The theme to JAG for example. Or to ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS (appropriately named Funeral March for a Marionette). There's the original TWILIGHT ZONE theme, the one to the Japanese anime GOD MARS. The one to the 70s British SF series UFO. And let's not forget the iconic STAR TREK theme.

As I recall, it was supposed to be the fasted car on the road and Lamborghinis (it races one later on if I'm not mistaken?) top off at about 340Kph (approx 200Mph) so K.I.T.T. needed to go faster than that.

The car I believe you're referring to that Michael raced against was the "Dagger DX" (page 189 in KRC)featured in Season Three's "Knights of the Fast Lane". The Dagger DX was a customized Ferarri 308 GTS (1979)with a "double-turbo 600hp engine" which went over 200+ mph however Michael at first purposely lost the race at night against it to its owner Mark Taylor but later he beat the DX in a chase scene towards the end of the episode. I consider that "a circumstance that called for him "giving it all he had" to get out of a sticky situation."
I don't remember off hand if Michael raced against a Lamborghini with K.I.T.T. If I'm mistaken on that, I would like to know the name of the episode that shows it.
I know Team Knight Rider (TKR) featured K.R.O (Knight Reformulation One) which was also a Ferarri GTS (1991 model)that went over 200 mph. Since I did not extensively cover Team Knight Rider, I am unsure what K.R.O. peaked at in that episode of the same name. I listed it as 200+ in a deleted schematic I drew up in the early stages of creating the book. Check my deviantart site link in Merrick's article.
Incidentally in reference to Knight Rider's theme song, it was at one time recognized and honored by BMG music as the most downloaded ring tone for a television show in history.
That claim has since then been broken.
=VK=

I'm not going by "ring tones". Just because more people have gotten that doesn't mean it's the 'coolest'. After all, remember that Adam Sandler is considered a very funny comedian by a lot of people. So popular appeal doesn't necessarily mean a quality product.

Yeah JAG did indeed have a wonderful theme tune over the credits. Still prefer Knight Rider though, and if so many folk didn't already have it as their ring tone I might have downloaded it as such. (Mine is the Axel Foley theme which I guess really does show I'm a child of the 80es! LOL!)
Stu Philip did a lot of cool themes though. Didn't he do the themes to Battlestar Galctica & Buck Rodgers as well?..Talk about iconic! (And yeah Alexander Courage's Star Trek themes are hard to top)